Machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes



MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO ENVELOPES 1O Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 27, 1931 INVENTOR vLeslel' A. (779 A1 "C rze .M 1 11 IlerAug. 22, v CHERRY ET AL MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TOENVELOPES Filed July 27, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR Lcsler A.War/y flu astw L awe Ciawenco M1 11 1101' P: a By l v MATTORNEYS Aug.22, 1933. L. A. CHERRY ET AL MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TOENVELOPES Filed July 27, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 L HY1 VEN T OR at UA1414s315 J1 Clara/100 MFaZ 1?:- By 6? v WA nomvgm Aug. 22, 1933. L. A.CHERRY ET AL MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO ENVELOPES FiledJuly 27, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Lester/1..

are/10PM. Fill/Pr B y 8 fin W1 TTORNEYS Aug. 22, 1933- L. A. CHERRY ETAL MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO ENVELOPES Filed July 27, 193110 Sheets-Sheet 7 er? .9 an. MNMHE f Llam m fio AN mrw A e m a? Zap 1A1!P Y B Aug. 22, 1933. L. A. CHERRY ET AL MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENINGTHREADS TO ENVELOPES Filed July 27, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 r Jew RZHHmeaam N F ECIM.O AJNH mh peA w a? 7.! L PM Y B Aug. 22, 1933 L. A.CHERRY ET AL 1,923,914

L MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO ENVELOPES Filed July 27,1931l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR Lesfen/l (berry 14143145405 La??? 750Clare/100 ALFZ 1 1 1' ye r M TTORNEYS L. A. CHERRY ET AL MACHINE FORAFFIXING OPENING THREADS T0 ENVELOPES Aug. 22, 1933.

IN VEN TOR Filed July 27, 1931 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 .EI PSIQI' A. Cher/yflu yustus 1i .Larze Ci arem'e v. Fuiler yfi 61., A TTORNEYS PatentedAug. 22, 1933 F STATES PATENT oI-rics MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OFENINGTHREADS TO ENVELQPES Application July 27, 1931. SerialNo, 553,348

42 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for affixing openingthreads to envelopes in order that they maybe conveniently opened afterhaving been sealed. More particularly the invention is concerned with amachine for applying such threads to the envelopes. after they have beenmade and the invention, therefore, proposes a machine which isadapted'to affix an opening thread adjacent the juncture. of the sealingflap and the body of the envelope, the thread being of such a lengththatan end thereof extends beyond the envelope body'to provide a protrudingend, whereby after the envelope has been sealed, it may be opened alongthe fold provided by the sealing flap and the body of the envelope bypulling one of the ends in a direction transverse of the said fold.

One object of the invention is. the novel arrangement and constructionof the various mechanisms utilized in the performance of the severaloperations whereby simplicity .of construction and operation isobtained.

A further object is to effect the securement of the opening threads tothe envelopes in such a manner that a positivetearing action is insuredwithout possibility of lengthwise slippage of the threads.

A still' further object is to provide for the application of theadhesive to only that portion of the thread which is to be aflixed totheenvelope, those portions which provide the protruding ends escaping theaction of the adhesive applying.

means whereby possibility of the envelopes or their threads adheringtoeach other or to adjacent parts of the machine into which they come intocontact is avoided. e

Other objects will be apparent as the description of the inventionproceeds.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a machine embodying the various featuresof the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the machine taken along line 3-3ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View of that portion of the machinewhich includes the mechanism for controlling the feeding movement of thethread and for applying the adhesive to the latter. s

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken along line 5-5 of Figure .4 justin front of the adhesive applying mechanismshowing the horn by which theflap of the envelope is opened prior to the positioning of the openingthread adjacent the juncture of the sealing flap and. the body of theenvelope. '1

- Figure 6 isa similar section along line 6-6 of Figure4 showing themeans by which the application of the adhesive to the opening thread iscontrolled. Figure 7 is a section through the adhesive ap plyingmechanism taken alongl'ine 7-7 of Figure 4.

' Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in plan of the machine showing themechanism by which the sealing flap is folded upon the thread afterthelatter has been placed in its intended position along or adjacent thejuncture of the flap and the body or. the envelope. 7

Figure 9 is a transverse section of the same mechanism taken along line9-9 of Figure 8.

1 Figure 10. is an enlarged fragmentary .view in plan which includes themechanism for squeez ing the thread between the sealing flap and thebody of the envelope after the flap has been folded upon the thread andthe mechanism by which the thread is severed after this operation toprovide the protruding ends. 1 Figure l1 is a transverse section throughthe rolls of the squeezing mechanism and is taken along line 11-11 ofFigure 10. a

Figure 12 is a similar section of the thread severing mechanism takenalong line 12-12 of Figure 10. I

Figure 13 is a transverse section through the machine taken along line13-13 oi Figure 1.

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail View of the driving means for thevarious operating mechanisms and is taken along line 14-14 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a transverse section of the same taken along line 15-15ofFigure 14.

Figure 16 is a similar section taken along line 16-16 of Figure 14. N

Figure 1'? is a view in elevation of the delivery end of the machine. Vi Figure 18 15 a horizontal fragmentary section taken along line 18-18of Figure 17 and showing the envelope ejecting mechanism at this end ofthe machine. V

Figure 19 is a horizontalv fragmentary section of thedelivery end or"the machine and is taken along line 19-19 of Figure 17.

Figure 20 is a vertical section 20-20 of Figure 18. I

The envelopesto which opening threads are to be affixed are initiallyplaced in a magazine provided for this purpose. vThey are withdrawn fromthe said magazine one at a time by suitable mechanism and. are deliveredto a conveyor by taken along line which they are moved through themachine in single file. In its passage through the machine each envelopeis carried into co-operating relation with the various mechanisms eachof which takes a part in the securement of the opening thread, theoperations performed by the said mechanism being, in the order of theirperform ance, as follows:

( 1) The sealing flap of the envelope is opened and held in thisposition. (2) The opening thread to which the adhesive has been appliedis positioned along, or adjacent, the juncture of the sealing flap andthe body of the envelope. (3) The sealing flap is then closed, that isto say folded upon the thread to the position in which it is foldedwhensealed. (4) The thread is squeezed between the sealing flap and the bodyof the envelope. (5) The thread is then cut off beyond an end of theenvelope to provide a protruding end which may be grasped when theenvelope is being opened after it has been sealed. (6) The envelope withthe opening thread affixed is delivered to a receiving rack from whichit may be removed at the convenience of the operator.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the mechanisms for carrying out thevarious operations above enumerated and for carrying out the variousoperations incidental thereto are all included in a single machine. Theframework of the said machine consists of a suitable supporting base 25upon which are carried the side frame members 26 and 27,'the latterbeing formed with suitable flanges along their bottoms by which theirsecurement to the base 25' is effected and being formed at their topswith inwardly extending flanges 28 and 29 which terminate short of eachother to provide a longitudinally extending opening 36 in which theupper flight of a conveyor 31 moves.

The conveyor 31, as stated, is adapted to carry the envelopes fed to itin a single file into cooperating relation with the various operatingmechanisms of the machine. As shown, it includes an endless chain 32carried by sprockets 33'and 34 mounted at the feed and delivery endsrespectively of the machine.

The chain 32 carries a series of cross bars 35 (Fig. 3) which aresuitably secured thereto by angle members 36, the said bars being spacedat short intervals throughout the extent of the chain. The upper flight,therefore,- of the conveyor consists of a moving supporting surface ofthe width of the cross bars 35. In this connection it will be noted thatthe inwardly extending portions 28 and 29 of the side frame members arecut away along their adjacent uppermost edges to provide ledges 37 alongwhich the ends of the bars 35 move, the upper surfaces of the bars beingsubstantially flush with the adjacent surfaces of the inwardly extendingportions 28 and 29 of the side frame members.

Certain of the bars 35 are formed or provided with upwardly extendingshoulders 38 (Figures 1 and 2). The shoulders occur in pairs about theconveyor, the distance between the shoulders of each pair being such asto permit the positioning'of an envelope between them.

Along either side of the opening 30 are guide rails 39 (Figures 3 and13). The said rails are supported in spaced relation to the uppersurfaces of the inwardly extending portions 28 and 29 of the side framemembers by suitable spacing members 40 which are positioned inlongitudinally extending slots 39a formed in the said in the drivenmember 43.

engaged at its rearmost end by shoulder 33 and moved in the direction ofits length along the path defined by the spacing members 40 and theguide rails 39.

At' the feed end of the machine the sprocket 33 ismounted upon a stubshaft 41, which is suitably supported from the side frame member 27 ofthe machine by a block 42 (Figures 1 and 3). The latter is adjustablelengthwise of the machin whereby the desired degree of tension upon thechain 32 may be obtained.

In order to insure accurate co-operation be tween the various operatingmechanisms and. the envelopes as they rest upon the conveyor 31, it ispreferred that the movement of the latter be step-by-ste'p so thatcertain of the operations may be effected during the rest periods of theconveyor. The sprocket 34 at the delivery end of the machine is;therefore, suitably secured to the driven member 43 of a Geneva gearing.The member 43 iskeyed upon a shaft 44 which is journalled in one of apair of sector-like blocks 45 secured at the deliveryend of the machineto the side frame members 26 and 27. A pulley 46 is carried upon theouter end of the shaft 44. The driving member 47 is of the Genevagearing (see Figures 1, 14, 15 and 16) is formed or provided with a hub48 (Figure 15) and is carried by a stub shaft 49 mounted upon the sideframe member '26. A gear 50 is secured upon the hub 43 of the drivingmember 47 and is included in the gear train by which the machine isconnected to power. The machine is connected to a suitable source ofpower by a pulley 51 which. is mounted upon a main drive shaft 52(FigureQ) ,the said drive shaft being suitably journalled in theopposite side frame members 26 and 27. At its inner end, the drive shaft52 carried a gear 53 (see also Figures 1 and 14) and the latter in turnmeshes with a reducing gear 54. The gear 54 is mounted upon a transverseshaft 55 (Figure 13) which also is journalled in the side frame member26 and 27; The shaft 55 extends through the side frame member 26 andcarries a bevelled gear 56 upon its outer end.

Thereducing gear 54 mesheswith the gear 50 of the Geneva gearing whilethe bevelled gear 56 meshes with a companion bevelled gear 5 (Figure 1)carried by a'long'itudinally extending cam shaft 58; Thus, when thedrivepulley 51 is connected to power a continuous rotary movement is impartedto the driving member 47 of the Geneva gearing and to the main camshaft-58. The said cam shaft is supported lengthwise of the machine fromthe side frame ing brackets 58th The Geneva gearing is best shown inFigures 14,

member 26 by bear- 15 and '16. The driving member 47 thereof carries aroller 59 which cooperates in the usual manner with radial slots 60formed or provided The continuous rotary movement, therefore, of thedriving member 47 effects an intermittent movement of the driven member43, and hence an intermittent forward movement of the conveyor 31. 7

It is preferred thatduring the rest intervals ofthe conveyor that thedriven member 43, hence the conveyor, be locked against movement.

ward edge of the plate 69 with the sealing flap The driven member 43,therefore, is provided with a circular series of locking rollers 51, oneof which is arranged between each adjacent pair of radial slots 60. Therollers 81 operate in an arouate channel 62 formed in the driving member4'3. The channel 62 is concentric with 'theshaft 49. It is so designedthat as the roller 59 approaches the end. of the radial slot 60 in whichit is working, the leading end of the channel 82 is approaching one ofthe locking rollers 61 and the walls of the said channel engage the saidlocking roller until the roller 59 enters the next succeeding radialslot 60 at which time the trailing end of the channel 62 passes beyondthe locking roller. J it will, of course, be apparent that inasmuch as,the'chanr nel 62- is concentric with the shaft 49 the walls of thechannel will permit passage of the locking rollers between them whilepreventing movement of the driven member 4.3, and hence the conveyor 31,during the time that the roller 59 is moving from the exit of eachradial slot to the entrance of the next succeeding slot. 1

. The envelopes to which the opening threads are to be aflixed aredelivered to the machine at one end of the conveyor 31 from a magazineor rack 63 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). The said magazine or rack is carriedupon a longitudinally extending shaft 64 which is mounted between a pairof vertical plates 65 arranged transversely of the machine. The saidplates are suitably secured to the inwardly extending flanges 28 and 29of the side frame members and extend over the conveyor 31, and hence thepath to be traversed by the envelopes. I

The magazine or rack 63 includes a pair of upwardly extending arms 66(Figure3) which are secured to the shaft 64 and which are formed to Isupport the inner ends of the side rails 67 of the magazine, it beingunderstood, of course, that these railsare preferably spaced apart adistance slightly greater than the length of the envelopes. The bottomof the magazine is provided by a pair of spaced rods 68 whichlie belowand between the side rails 67 and the said rods are car ried by a bottomplate 69 which is formed with a depending extension 70; by which it issecured upon the shaft 64. The rails 68 fit in suitable slots formed inthe bottom plate69 so that their upper surfaces are fiush with the uppersurface 7 of the said plate thereby insuring the desired feedingmovement of the envelopes in the magazine without intereference fromobstructions in the path of their movement.

The envelopes are placed in the magazine 63 g with their sealingfiapdownward and facing the direction of feed. At the front end of themagazine 63 an arm 71 is supported from a longitudinally extending shaft'72 so that its lower end 73 provides with the forward edge of the plate69 an opening through which the envelopes may be withdrawn from themagazine. The arm '71 carries upon its rear side a spring member 74, thelower end of which terminates a slightdistance above, but close to thelower end '73 of the said arm. The spring member 74 serves as a supportagainst which the envelopes in the magazine rest and prevents theiraccidental escape through the opening provided by the lower end of the.

arm 71 and the plate 69. The shaft 72 by which the arm '71 and springmember 74 are carried is supported from a pair of spacing arms 75 whichare carried by the shaft 64. It willbe noted that the leading envelopeof the pack of envelopes the magazine, which is indicated indotted linesat 76, is resting upside, down adjacent the fordownward and partiallyopen. 1

The envelopes are withdrawn one at a time from the magazine and arrangedupon the conveyor 31. To'this end, a member '77 is utilized,v the saidmember being formed or provided with a pair of spaced fingers 778. Thelatter lie at opposite sides of the arm and spring member 71 and 74respectively. Each of the fingers 78 is formed first moved upwardly sothat the hooked ends thereof lie above the opening between the sealingflap and the body .of the envelope. The said fingers are then moveddownwardly to effect the withdrawal of the envelope in the mannerdescribed. These movements of the fingers 78 are effected by an arm 81and the member 77, there'- for is pivotally connected thereto by 'a pairof ears so formed or provided on the member 7'? intermediate its ends.

The arm 81 ismounted'for angular movement I upon a shaft 82 which issuitably supported be tween the vertical plates 85. A gear 83 is fixedto the shaft 82 and meshes with an operating gear 84:,the latter beingmounted upon a shaft 85 carried by the side vertical plate'members 65.

The member '77 at. its lower end is formed with an extension 86 to whichis connected a spring 87, the opposite end of the latter being connectedto a projection 88 formed on the arm 81. The spring 87 normally actsagainst the extension 86 of the member '77 to urge the free end thereof,that is to say the portion which includes the finger '78, toward theenvelope magazine' Thus, as the arm 81 moves upwardly the hooked ends ofthe fingers 78 move past the arm '71 and the spring member '74 andagainst the side of the leading'envelope so that as the arm 81 movesdownwardly the'hooked ends '79 follow the body of the envelope, therebyinsuring their engagement with the fold provided by the body and flap ofthe envelope. As the fold is engaged andthe arm 81 continues to movedownwardly, the envelope is drawn through the opening provided by thelower end of the arm '71 and the forward edge of the bottom plate 69. p

In its movement from the magazine 68 the envelope is guided by anarcuate wall 89. which is arranged between and connected to the saidplates 65 to the conveyor 31. At its'lower, extremity, the a It will,thereforabe apparent that as the arm 81 movesdownwardly the envelope iscarried by it over'the arcuate wall 89 and upon the conveyor 31, theflap during'the final movement of the envelope entering beneath theguide rail 39 (Figure 3) carried'by the inwardly extending portion 28 ofthe side frame member 26. The movements of the conveyor are soco-ordinated with the move- 'ments of the arm 81 that a pair ofshoulders 38 on the cross bars 35 of the conveyor are posie tioned toreceive an envelope at each downward movement of the arm 81. It isunderstood, of course, that at such times the conveyor is at rest As thearm 81 moves upwardly in its return movement the hooked ends "79 of thefingers 7.8

are withdrawn from beneath the sealing flap of the envelope and thelatter is carried forward lengthwise during the next forward movement ofthe conveyor. The front face of the rib provides a guide for the bottomedge of the envelope until it enters beneath the guiderail provided beyond the last side plate and also serves to pre vent the return of theenvelope during the return movement of the fingers '78. It will be notedthat the side plate 65 in the direction of travel of the conveyor is cutaway as at 941 to provide an opening through which the envelopes pass.The arm 81 is operated through the medium of the cam shaft 58 and thelatter, therefore, carries at one end a crank 91. The said crank isconnected by a connecting rod 93 to an arm 92 fixed at its inner end tothe shaft 85 whichcarries the gear 8 1. Hence, rotation-of the cam shaft58 causes oscillatory movements of the arm 92, andsuch movements aretransmitted by the gears 83 and as to I the arm 81.

As an envelope which has been placed upon the conveyor is moved throughthe opening 94, it approaches a horn 95 (Figures 2, 4 and 5) the body ofwhich is suitably secured by a lateral extension 96 upon a guide rail39, it being noted that the said guide rail at this point extendsforwardly of the said extension and terminates in a turned up end 41a.The body of the horn extends over the conveyor 31 at such a distancefrom the latter as to permit passage beneath it of the envelopes and theshoulders '38 between which they are positioned. At the opposite side ofthe conveyor, the other guide rail 39 is cut away, leaving only thespacing member 40 over which an angularly upwardly extending portion 97of the horn projects, said portion being provided with a trailing end'98. The angularly upwardly. extending portion 971s formed with an edge99 which at its forward end 100 merges into the body of the horn. 'Fromthis point the edge diverges from the path of the conveyor. The horn 95is formed in front of the diverging edge 99 with a forwardly projectingportion 101 which lies in advance of the edge 99 and which is supportedin such a positionrelative to thepath of the envelope that the saidportion enters between the sealing flap and the body of the envelope asthe latter approaches the edge 99 of the horn. Thus, as the envelopecontinues to move forward after entry of the forwardly, extendingportion 101, between the sealing flap and the body of the envelope thesealing flap is engaged by the diverging edge 99 of the horn and openedout to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 and as theenvelope continues to move forward the flap in this position is'thenengaged by the trailing end 98 of the horn and is maintained in suchposition. I

The purpose of opening the sealing flap of the envelope in the mannerdescribedis to en able the proper positioning of the opening threadabove the juncture of the sealing flap and the body of the envelope. Theopening threads are cut oif in portions of the desired lengthfrom asingle continuous thread and in accordance with the'invention, it ispreferred that this be done after the opening threads have been a-flixedto the envelopes. The mechanism by which the continuous thread issupported is arranged for co-operation with the horn 95 whereby as theflap is held open by the trailing end 98 of the horn, that portion ofthe continuousthread which is to provide the opening thread of theenvelope is positioned adjacent the juncture of the sealing flap and thebody of the envelope.

The thread applying mechanism, as best shown in Figures 1, 4. and 5,includes a finger 102, which is carried by a rock member 103, the.latter being suitably supported from a bracket 10 1 carried by the sideframe member 27. The connection between the rock member 103 and thebracket 104 is provided by a longitudinally extending pin 195. Thefinger 102 is conveniently secured to the rock member 103 for movementtherewith by means of a screw 106, the end 197 of the finger (Figure 1)fitting over the end of the pin 195. The continuous thread 108 (Figure6) from which the opening threads are to be cut off may be. unreeledfrom a spooi or the like (not shown). It passes through an eyelet 109behind a tensioning device 119 which includes a plate 119a (Figure 4)and a compression spring 111. From the tensioning device the thread issuitably guided to an eye 112 formed in the 1 end of the finger. It willbe noted that the finger extends across the conveyor and the eye in theend of the finger is located adjacent the side of the trailing end 98 ofthe horn 95. With reference to Figure 4, it will also be noted thatafter passing through the eye 112 of the finger the thread extendslengthwise of the machine, that is to say substantially parallel to thetrailing end 98 of the horn and in the direction of travel of theconveyor. The trailingend of the horn 98 heretofore described, liesabove the thread 108 which is to provide the opening thread of theenvelopes overlies the latter adjacent the juncture of its sealing flapand body and the said portion moves along with the envelopes,step-bystep, during which movement'its position relative to the envelopeis maintained.

. Means is provided whereby that portion of the thread 108 which is toprovide an opening thread is, after leaving the eye 11?. of the finger192' and during its feeding movement, impregnated or coated with anadhesive in order that it may be firmly secured to the envelope. Themechanism by which the adhesive is applied is best shown in Figures 4, 6and 7. It includes a roll 113 which is arranged directly above the pathof the thread 198 and adjacent the trailing end 98 of the horn 95. Theroll 113 is carried by a driving shaft 114 and the latter is journalledat its ends position by a spring loaded element 116 which is.

formed to overlie an annular rib 117 formed on the roll. Thisconstruction enables the con venient removal of the roll 113, by firstlifting the element 116 a short distance against the action of itsspring. The shaft 114, and hence the roller 113, is rotated during theoperation of the machine in order that a layer of adhesive may beconstantly maintained upon the peripheral surface of the roll 113. Tothis end, the shaft 114 carries apulley 118' and the latter is connectedby, thread 108 which are to provide the protruding a belt 119 to thepulley 46. It is to be noted that pulley 46 is the pulleyheretoforementioned in connection with the description of the Geneva gearing. Theintermittent rotary movements of the pulley 46, therefore will cause theadhesive applying roll 113'to functionin a similar manner.

The adhesive which is to1 be applied to the opening thread is preferablya liquid and a supply thereof may be contained in Suitable receptacle120. The latter, as illustrated, is suitably supported upon the inwardlyextending portion. 23 of the sideframe member 26. Adhesive from thereceptacle 120 is delivered by a roll 121 and a, The

disk 122 to theadhesive applying roll 113. disk 122 is' loosely mountedupona pin 123 and at its'opposite sides engage the peripheries of therolls 113 and 121. Anielement 124 (Figure 4) formed with legs 125 ispreferably employed for removing adhesive from the sides of the roll121', the said legs bearing againstthe sides of the" roll to accomplishthis.

'It is preferred that the roll 121be positively driven in order toinsure the uniform distribution of the adhesive .upon the dislr122, andhence The roll 121, therefore, is carried I the roll 113. by a shaft 126which is journaled in a side wall of the receptacle 120, and securedupon the inner end of the shaft126 in a manner similar to that in whichthe roll 113 is secured upon the shaft 114. A pulley 127, fixed to theouter end of the shaft 126, is connectedby a belt 123-to a drive pulley129 (Figuresl, 10 and 11). The latter is mounted upon a shaft 130 whichextends trans- ;versely of the machine and which is journaled in rolls121 and 113 are both rotated step-by-step simultaneously with thestep-by-step movements of the conveyor. j 1;

The finger 102 is adapted normally to support the continuous thread 108gainst the adhesive applying roll 113 as shown in the dotted lineposit-ion (Figure 6) and as the thread isdrawn-beheath and against theperiphe'ry of the saidroll' 'it .is coated or impregnated-with theadhesive carried thereby. p

As previously noted, that portion of the continuous thread which is toprovide, the openingthread of an envelope isaihxed to the envelopebefore it is severed from the continuous thread, ['13 the envelopes aremoved through the machine in single file, therefore, the opening threadsof.

theenvelopes between the horn and the thread severing means to behereinafter described are connected and comprise a single length ofthread. Those portions'of the'threa dwhich lie between adjacentenvelopes are to provide the protruding ends of the opening threads. Inaccordance with the invention, means is provided for controlling thefinger 102 whereby those portions of the dread 103 which are toprovidethe protruding ends of theopening threads escape the actionof theadhesive applying roll 113.. The saidcontrolling means. as best shownFigures 4 and 6 is adapted, thereforeto lower away from theadhesiveapplying roll 113 those portions of the theside 1'' ends of the openingthreads (see the full line position 'of the finger 102 in Figure 6). Tothis. end, the block member 103 is formed with a downwardly extendingarm 132 and the said arm is connected by a rod 133 to an arm 134. Thelatter is pivotally connected at its lower end to a shaft 135 whichextends lengthwise, of he ma.-

.chinebeneath the camshaft 58 and which is journalled at its ends in twoof the brackets 58a.

1e against the periphery of the 'cam137 carried by cam shaft158.The'roller 136is caused to follow the periphery of thecam137 by a spring138 which is suitably connected at one end to me member 26 and at itsupper 'end to the rockmeinber 103. From the foregoing it will beapparent; therefore, that as the cam .shaft 58 rotates and the roller 1%follows the periphery of the cam 137, the finger 102 will be operated Yanother or to adjacentenvelopes after delivery from the machine. v

As'the envelope and that portion of the coated or impregnated thread 108which is to constitute arm 134 carries a roller. 36 which bears itsopening thread move away from the trailing f end of the horn 95, thesealing flap is open and the opening-thread istraveling with theenvelope and lies adjacent or alongth'e juncture between the sealingfiapand the body'thereof. In 'accordance with the invention it is preferredthat 7 opening thread to the envelope that the former be pressed againstthe latter. The mechanism for obtaining this end is best shown inFigures 1, 2, S and'9. It includes a slide 139 which is supported uponthe lateral extension 140 of the side frame member 26. I The said slideis formed with longitudinally extending slots 141, which 00- operatewith screws 142 or other suitable guide means for permitting areciprocating movement of p the slide 139 in the direction of itslength.

The forward end of therslide which is preferably rounded extendsa. shortdistance, when in its retractedposition over the slot 40a provided-forcompanion guide rail 39, beingcut away adjacent the rounded end of theslidein order to; permit its movement in the direction of the conveyor31. During'rest periods of the conveyor the slide 139 moves forward toengage the sealing iiapof in order to obtain'the effectivesecurementof'the the envelope which lies opposite it during which movement theslide folds the said flap over the thread'108; The slide 139 is designedto permit movement under it of the envelope 'during'thenextforwardmovement of the conveyor. The advancing and retractingmovements of the slide 139 are-produced by the cam shaft 58. The latter,

between the roller 145 and the'periphery of the earn 146 is maintainedby a spring 147. H

After the sealing flap has been folded over the opening thread. inthe'mannerdescribed, thelatter is squeezed between the said flap and thebody of the envelope in order to, insure the effective:

'se'cu'rement of the said thread to the envelope.

125 the spacing.member40,-the latter, as is also the thread 198 whilethe lower roll engages the side of the envelope against which the threadis resting. It will be noted that the slide 139 is arranged for movementclose to the rolls 148 and 149 so that t-e flap of the envelope duringthe time that the latter is approaching the rolls is held down, therebyinsuring entry of the fold of the envelope between the rolls in thedesired manner.

The roll 1419 is carried by a shaft 150, the ends of which are suitablyjournalled in the side frame membersQG and 27. It carries upon its outerend adjacent, the side frame member .26 a gear 151 which meshes with acompanion gear 152 carried by a shaft 153, the roll 148 being mountedupon the said shaft. A second gear 154 is mounted on the shaft 153 andthe said gear meshes with a driving gear carried by the shaft 130. Thus,as the shaft 13s is operated through the agency of the sprocket 131 andthe conveyor chain 32 the rolls 148 and 1 19 are driven. these rolls, ofcourse, is intermittent by virtue of the intermittent movement of theconveyor 31. Maintenance of the co operating relation between the chain32 and the sprocket 131 is obtained by a member 59a which is securedabove 1 the conveyor to a guide rail 39in close proximity to theshoulders 38 of the conveyor bars 35, there by preventing movement ofthe. chain 32 away from the said sprocket.

The rolls 148 and l lilare also availed of to drawthe'thread 168 throughthe eye of the finger 102 against the action of the thread tensioningmeans iii). The rolls, therefore, serve to hold freelyior movementlengthwise of the machine a length of the said thread sufficient toprovide opening means for a plurality of envelopes. The said length ofthread and the envelopes to which the thread is to be affixed move alongstep-bystep toward the delivery end of the machine. The rolls 148 and149 serve, therefore, to squeeze the thread 108' between the sealingflap and the body of the envelope and also to produce the feedingmovements of the said thread. In the latter capacity, it will be notedthat during the passage between the said rollsof the fold provided bythe body and the sealing flap of an envelope, thefeeding movement of therolls is transmitted by the sealing flap and the body of the envelope tothe thread which is positioned between them.

Aftermovement of the envelopes beyond the rolls 148 and 149, the'feedingmovement of the thread 108 is produced by the direct action of the saidrolls upon that portion of the thread which lies between the saidenvelope andthe next sucsuitably supported from the side" iraine members26 and 27 of the machine by hearing brackets 158. The relative bodilymovement between the rolls 148 and 1 19 is comparatively smalL not beinggreat enough topi'event co-operation of the gears 154 and 155 and 151and 152 in the manner required.

.tions of the thread 193 which are to he a.

thereto are. moved along in the desired relation The movement of mountedupon a shaft 166.

As heretoforedescribed, the envelopes upon he conveyor 31 are carriedforwardby the latter toward the rolls 148 and 149, while those por- Addto the envelopesby the said rolls.

v11s the envelopes emerge from between the rolls tions of the threadlofi'by which they are connected, are carried to a mechanism Where thethreadis severed beyond the ends of the envelopes r at such a distanceas to leave protruding portions of the desired length. The mechanism bywhich this end'is obtained is best shown in'Fig ures 1, 2, l0 and 12. Itincludes a movable blade 159 and a fixed blade 16%. The former iscarried by a holder 161 and the latter on the inner end of a block 162.The said block is. suitably secured to the inwardly extending portion 28of the side frame member 26 and the V blade is preferably'securedthereto by screws 163 which are carried by the said block and whichextend through slots 164 formed in the blade, thereby enablingadjustment of the blade 169 relative to the blade 159. It will be notedthat opposite the movable and fixed blades 159 and 160 respectivelythetop guide rail 39 and the spacing member therefor have been cut away soas to permit operation of conveyor 31.

the blades close to the 1 As illustratedin Figure lithe blades of theshearing mechanism are normally separated to theextent indicated'in fulllines and when in this position the sealing flap edges of the envelopesand the sections of thread by which they are connected'pass over thefixed blade 160 beneath the overhanging movable blade 159. The operatingmechanism for the blade 159 is so co-ordinated With'the operatingmechanism ofthe" conveyor 31 that as the latter comes to rest'the blade159 tion of the connecting the said envelope.

and the next succeeding envelope beneath the said blades and in the nextoperation of the latter the thread is again severed in the mannerdescribed. The envelopes'are so arranged upon the conveyor thattheportion of thread'which connects pair of adjacent envelopes is longenough, I when severed substantially midway between the V "envelopes, toprovide a protruding end for each of the envelopes. order to operate themovable bladev 1.59 in the manner required, the holder 161 thereofiscarriedupon a hub 165 formed on the end of an arm and the latter ispivotally Thesaid shaft is journalled in the outer end of the'block 162and carries a compression spring 107 at the opposite side of the arm165. -The latter functions to maintain the desired relation between themovahis and the fixed blades. The arm 165 carries a roller 168 whichco-operates with a cam 159 to produce the required movements of theblade 159. The cam 169 is mounted upon the cam shaft 58 and the roller168 is caused to. follow the periphery thereof by a suitable spring 170.

After the thread 108 has been severed at both ends of the envelope, thelatter is moved forward by the conveyor 31 beneath the guide rails 39toward the delivery end of the machine. At this end of the machine, theside frame members 26 and 27 are connected by a member 171 (Figure 2),and the guide rails 39 t "minate beneath the said member. Thesector-like blocks 45, to which reference has heretofore been made andone of which carries the driven member 43 of the Geneva gearing, areformed or provided with arcuate guide members 3919. The latter provide acontinuation of the guide rails 39 and follow the conveyor 31 about thesprocket The guide member 392) extends approximately to a point verticalshafts 176 and 177 and the wheels of each pair are formed with alignedribs 178. The

ribs or the ejector wheels of each pair areadapted for co-operaticnwiththe' ribs of the other pair of ejector wheels to receive theenvelopes as they are delivered from the conveyor. The ejector wheelsare rotated simultaneously step-by-step, receiving the envelopes one ata time during their re. t periods, as best shown in Figure 18, anddurtheir step-by-step movements delivering-the envelopes thus receivedto a receiving rack The said receiving rack is provided by upper,intermediate. and lower guide rails 179, 180 and 181, respectively and abar 132. The ejector wheels are supported upon a plate 183 which issuitably secured to the bottoms of the reduced extensions 172 173 of theside frame members 26 and 27, respectively. The bar 132 is suitablysecured in an opening formed in the plate 183' so that its upper surfaceis flush with the latter.

The intermediate side rails are suitably secured between the ejectorwheels of each pair to housing partitions 17854. It will be apparentthat as the envelopes with opening threads amxed thereto are deliveredfrom the conveyor 31 they are moved out upon the receiving rack R wherethey accumulate for removal.

In. order to rotate the ejector wheels in the manner described the shaft176 is provided below the bottom plate 183 with a gear 185 while theshaft 177 is provided with a gear 134, the

latter gear meshing with the former. The inter mittent movement of theshafts 176and 177, and

hence the ejector wheels, is accomplished by the 137 and at its outerend it. is connected to' a link 193'. The latter is connected to anelement 1% pivotally mounted to the shaft 17'? below a ratchet wheel195, which is also fixed to the shaft 177. A dog'196 which is carried atthe upper side of the element 194 is resiliently held injengagement withthe ratchet wheel 195. It

will be apparent that as the arm 1921s oscillated through the medium ofthe cam shaft 58,

a step-by-step movement will be imparted to the gear 184, and hence theshaft 177, and by virtue of the cooperation between the gears 184 and185 a like movement will be imparted to the shaft 176. v

In order to prevent retractory movements of the ejector wheels the shaft176 carries a detent wheel 197, the notches of which co-operate with aroller 198. The latter is carried'on one arm of a bell crank 199 whichis .pivotally secured to the plate l33 and the other arm thereof isconnected by a spring .290 to a pin 201 secured to the bottom bar 182 ofthe rack P1. The vari 'ous parts of the mechanism are so arranged thatas the ribs of the ejector wheels approach a position where they are toreceive an envelope the roller193 enters one of the notches of thedetent wheel 197. Thus, the ejector wheels are held stationary whilereceiving an envelope and during the return movement of the dog 1% toengage the next shoulder on the ratchet'wheel 195. As the dog 1% engagesthe next succeeding shoulder on the ratchet wheel 195 and againmoves-forward the ejector wheels carry the envelope forward and deliverit to the receiving rack, during which movement the roller 193 rides outof the notch in the detent wheel 197 and approaches the next succeedingnotch which it enters as ribs of the ejector wheels approach the nextenvelope receiving position In the operation of the machine, theenvelopes to which opening threads are to be affixed are placedin themagazine 63 against the spring i" member 74 with their sealed flapsdownward and facing the conveyor. With power-being applied to the maindrive pulley 51 the Geneva ion gearing causes the conveyor 31 to movestep-bylivery end .of the machine During each rest period of theconveyor 31, the arm 81 is operated to withdraw an envelope from themagazineand deliver it to the conveyor. In this operation, the envelopeis positioned in the guideway with its sealing flap edge upward andbeneath the guide rail 39, its opposite or bottom edge lying adjacentthe guide face provided by the vertical rib 99. The

conveyor 31 then moves forward a' step thereby moving the envelope intoengagement with the horn by which its flap is opened. Atthe same time,the conveyor is conditioned to receive another envelope from themagazine 63 during the next downward movement of the arm 8].. It will,

therefore, be apparent that during the operation of the machine a seriesof envelopes will be moved through the machine in a single file upon theconveyor 31. Duringtheir passage through themachine each envelope af erhaving its flap opened moves beneath that portion of the thread 108which is subsequently to be affixed to with the said portion beingpositioned acjac'ent'the juncture between the sealing flap andthe bodyof the envelope.

As the envelope moves beneath that portion of the thread which is tobecome affixed to it, an

adhesive is applied to the thread. At this point the'flaplies away fromthe thread and as the envelope and thread move toward the delivery endof the machine the flap is folded over upon that portion of the threadwhich liesbeneath it.

With the flap held in this position, the fold produced by the closing ofthe flap and which inthe sealing flap and the body of the envelope,thereby effecting the securement of the thread to the envelope. At thetime the rolls i l-8 and 149 feed the thread 108 adjacent the junctureof the sealing flap and the body of the following envelope whereby itsopening thread may be afiixed in the manner described. Upon emergingfrom the rolls and i ii), those portions. of the thread 183 whichconnect the adjacent envelopes are severed between the latter to providethe protruding ends. The envelopes to which the opening threads havebeen affixed are then delivered from the machine by the ejector wheels17% and 175 to the receiving mechanism where they collect in thereceiving rack.

. In starting the machine, it will be apparent that inasmuch as thefeeding movement of the thread 198 is produced by the rolls 1&8 and 149the thread, should before the delivery the envelopes to the conveyor 31,be inserted between the rolls. By doing this, feeding movements of thethread 108 will be started so that as the first envelope passes, be- .ththe horn 95' and adhesive applying roll 113,. that portion of the threadwhich is to provide the opening thread for the envelope will beconditioned and 311'".

ranged for the operations to follow.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the machine is capable ofafzixing effectively and accurately tearing threads to completely formedenvelopes. The thread which. is affixed to each envelope has theadhesive applied to it only throu hout its intermediate extent, that isto say. that portion which when affixed to the envelope lies between theends thereof. The ends of the thread which may be pulled in the openingoperation protrude to the ends of the envelope and are free from theadhesive. Thus, those portions of the thread to which the adhesive hasbeen applied are completely covered by the sealing of the envelope-sprior to the deliveryof the latter from the machine and hence thepossibility of the said portions adhering to adjacent parts of themachine, or to adjacent envelopes after delivery from the machine, isavoided.

It will be noted that the which has been affixed to an envelope issecured adjacent the juncture of the flap and the body. of the envelopeand adheres to the envelope substantiall throughout its length. Thethread, therefore, being pressed against the envelope, does notinteriere to an objectionable extent with the insertion of the contentsof the envelope. The adherence of the thread in this manner is alsodesirable because of the increased effectiveness of the latter while theenvelope is being opened. Either of the protruding ends of the threadmay be and pulled in a substantially transverse direction to the fold ofthe envelope thereby tearing the envelope open along the fold withoutpossibility of the thread becoming unfixed from theenvelopc and slippingout lengthwise instead of functioning in the manner required.

We claim as our invention:

1, In a machine for aliasing opening threads to enveopes, thecombination of means to which the envelopes are delivered and by whichthey are moved through the machine, means for opening the of anenvelope, means for positioning a thread.- to which an adhesive hasbeenapplied adjacent the juncture of the flap and the body or theenvelope and means for folding the flap upon the said thread.

2. In a machine for affixing opening threads desired extent at oppositevto envelopes, the combination of means to which the envelopes aredelivered and bywhich they are movedthrough the machine, means foropening the flap of an envelope, means for positi ning a thread to whichan adhesive has been applied 1 adjacent the juncture of. the flap andthe body of the envelope, means for folding. the flap upon the threadand means for squeezing the thread.

between the flap and the body of the envelope whereby the securementofthe thread to the envelope is effected. a

3.111 a machine forafilxing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means to which the envelopes are delivered and bywhich'they are moved through the machine, means for open ing' the flapof an envelope, means forfeeding a thread adjacent the juncture of theflap and he body of the envelope, means for applying an adhesive to thethread during its feeding movement and means for folding the flap uponthe said thread whereby the securenient of the thread to the envelopemay be efiected.

din a machine for aifixing opening threads to envelopes, the combinationof means. to which the envelopes are delivered and by which they aremoved through the machine, means for opening the flap of an envelope,means for feeding a thread adjacent the. juncture of the flap and thebody of the envelope means for applying an adhesive to the thread duringits feeding movement, means for. then folding thev flap upon the threadand means for squeezing the thread between the fiap and the body of theenvelope whereby the secureinent of the thread to the envelope iseifected.

5. In a machine for-affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombinationof a conveyor by which the envelopes are moved through themachine, a magazine in which the envelopes are, initially placed, meansfor withdrawing the envelopes from the magazine and delivering them tosaid conveyor, means. for opening. the flap of an envelope, means forpositioning a thread to which an adhesive has been applied. adjacent thejuncture of the flap and the body of the envelope and means forfoldingthe fiap upon the said thread, whereby the securement of the thread tothe envelope may be effected.

6. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor by which the envelopes are moved through themachine, a magazine in which the envelopes are initially placed, meansfor withdrawing the envelopes from the magazine and delivering them tosaid conveyor, means for opening the flap of an envelope, means forpositioning a thread. to

which an adhesive has been applied adjacent the juncture of the i'lapandthe body of the envelope, means for then folding the saidfiap upon thethread. and means for squeezing the thread between the flap and the bodyof the envelope, whereby the secureinent' of the thread to the envelopeis effected.

'7. in a machine for ailixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor by .1

effected. l

8. In a machine for afiixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor by which the envelopes are moved through themachine, a magazine in which the envelopes are- 2 initially placed,means for withdrawing the envelopes iromthe magazine .anddelivering themto said conveyor,"means for opening thefiap of an envelope; means forfeeding athread adjacent the juncture of the flap and'the body .of theenvelope, means for applying an adhesive to the thread during itsfeedingmovement and means for folding the flap upon said thread, whereby itssecurement to the envelopemay' be. effected.

9. In a machine for aflixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor. by which the envelopes are moved. through themachine, a .magazine in which-the envelopes are initially placed, meansfor withdrawing the envelopes from. the magazine and delivering them tosaid conveyor, means for opening the flap of an envelope, means forfeedingia thread adjacent the juncture of the flap and the body of theenvelope, means for applying an adhesive to the thread during itsfeeding movement, means for folding the flap uponlthe thread and meansfor squeezing the threadbetween the flap and the body of the envelopewherebythe securement of the thread to the envelope is effected. v 7

10. In a machine for affixingopening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor to which the envelopes are delivered and bywhich they are moved through the machine, means for opening the flap ofan envelope, means for applying an adhesive to spaced parts of acontinuous thread thereby to provide sections having 'a portion thereofto which an adhesive has been applied and adjacent portions 'which'donot to envelopes, the combination of 'a conveyor to which the envelopesare deliveredv and by which they are moved throughthe machine, means foropening the flap of an envelope, meansforpositioning a thread having aportion thereof to which an adhesive has been applied and adjacentportions which do not include the adhesive adjacent the juncture of theflap-and the body of the envelope, and means forfolding the flap uponthat portion of the thread to which the adhesive has been applied,whereby the securement of the thread to the envelopemay be effected.

12. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopesthecombination of a conveyor to which the envelopesare delivered and bywhich they are moved through the machine, means for opening the flap ofan envelope, means for posi-' tioning a thread having 'aportion thereofto which an adhesive been appliedand adjacent portions whichdonotinclude theadhesive ad jacent the juncture of the flap and the bodyof the envelope, means for folding the flap uponthat portion of thethread to which the adhesive has been applied and meansfor squeezing thethread between the, flap, and the body of the envelope,

whereby the securement of the thread to the envelope is effected. I v

13. In a machine for afiixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor to which the envelopes are delivered and bywhich they are moved through the machine, means for opening the flap ofan envelope, means for feedinga thread adjacent the juncture of the fiapand the body'of theenvelope, means for applying an adhesive to a portionof the thread duringits feeding movement, those. portions of the threadadjacent the portion to which the adhesive has been applied and whichare to provide protruding ends escapingv the action of the adhesiveapplying means and means for folding the flap upon that portion of thethread to which the adhesive is applied, whereby its securement to theenvelope may be effected. 14. In a machine for affixing opening threadsto envelopes, thelcombination of a conveyor to the body of the envelope,means for'applying an adhesive applying means, means for folding theflap upon that portion of the thread to which the adhesive has beenapplied 'and'means for squeezing the thread between the. flap and bodyof the envelope, whereby securement of the thread to the envelope iseffected.

15. In amachine for affixing opening threadsto envelopes, thecombination 'of a conveyor 'by which the envelopes are moved through themachine, a magazine in which theenvelopes are initially placed, meansforwithdrawing the en velopes from the magazine and delivering them Q tosaid conveyor, means for opening the flapv of 1 whereby itssecurement-to the envelopemay be effected. i

16. In a machinefor affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombinationof a conveyor by which the envelopes are moved through the-machine a magazine in which the envelopes are initially placed,I-means forwithdrawing'the en-, velopes from .themagazine and delivering themto'said conveyor, means for opening the flap of an envelope, means" forfeeding a thread adjacent the juncturev of-the' flap and the body-of theenvelope, means for applying an adhesive to a portion of the'threadduringthefeeding movement of the thread, those portions of the threadadjacentthe portion to'which the adhesive has been'ap'plied and whichare to provide protrud ing ends escaping the action of the adhesiveapplying means, means for folding the flap upon that portion ofthe-thread to which the adhesive is appliedand means-for squeezing thethread 1 between the flap and body .of the envelopes, wherebythezsecurement of, the thread to the envelope is effected. i 1'7. In amachine for afiixing opening threads to envelopes, the combination ofmeans to which 150 r body of the envelope,

the envelopes are delivered and which they are moved step-by-stepthrough the machine, means for opening the flap of an envelope, meansfor positioning a thread to which an adhesive has beenapplied adjacentthe juncture of therflap and the body of envelope and means for foldingthe flap upon thread, whereby the secureinent oi the thread totheenvelope may be effected.

18. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means to whic the envelopes are delivered and by whichthey are moved ste; oy-step through the machine, means for opening theflap of an envelope, means for positioning a thread to w h an adhesivehas been applied adjacent the juncture of the flap and the body of theenvelope, means forthen folding the flap upon the thread means forsqueezing the threadibetween the flap and the body of the envelope,whereby the securement of the thread to the envelope iseffected.

19. In a machine forainxing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means to which the envelopes are delivered and by whichthey are moved step-by-step. through'the machine, means for opening theof an envelope, means for feeding a thread the juncture of the flap andthe body of the envelope, means for applying an adhesive to th threadduring its feeding movement, means for folding the flap uponsaid'threar. and for squeezing the thread between the flap the body ofthe envelope, whereby its secureznent to the envelopes is effected.

20. In aniachine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means by which the envelopes are moved through themachine step-by-step, a inwhioh the envelopes are' initially placed,means for withdrawing the envelopes from said magazine and deliveringthem to said means first mentioned, means for opening the flap of anenvelope, means for positioning a thread to wr adhesive been appliedadjacent the junr are of the fiap and the for folding the flap uponsaid'thread'and for squeezing the thread between the an and body of theenvelope, whereby its securernent to the envelope is effected.

21. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means by which the envelopes are moved through themachine step-by-step, a magazine which the envelopes are initiallyplaced, means for withdrawing the envelopes from said magazine anddelivering them to said means first mentioned, means for opening theflap of anenvelope, means for feedinga thread adjacent the juncture of,the flap and the body envelope, means for an adhesive to the threadduring its feeding movement, means for folding the flap upon the threadand means for squeezing the thread between the flap and body of theenvelopeiwhereby its seourernent to. the envelope is effected.

22. In a machine for ainxing opening threads to envelopes, thecombination of means for moving the envelopes through th machinestep-bystep,. a magazine in which the envelopes are ini tially' placed,means for withdrawing the en -1 velopes from said magazine anddelivering them to said means first mentioned, means for opening theflap of an envelope, means-for'feeding a adhesive to the thread, meansfor preventing the 23. In a machine for aiiixing opening threads, toenvelopes, the combination of means formoving the, envelopes through'themachine step-bystep, a magazinein which the envelopes are ini-. tiallyplaced, means for withdrawing the enelopes fromsaid magazine anddelivering'them to said means first n1entioned,.nieans for opening theflap of .an envelope, means for feeding a thread adjacent the junctureof the-flap and the body of the envelope, means for applying an adhesiveto the thread, 'IIISELZIS for preventing the application of the adhesiveto those portions of the thread which are to provide the. protrudingends of the opening ends of the opening thread, means for folding theflap; upon that portion of the thread to which the adhesive has beenapplied and means for squeezing the thread between the flap and the ho yof the envelope, whereby it securernent to the envelope is effected..24. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, theconibination'of a conveyor for moving the envelopes through the maohinea magazine in which the envelopes are initially placed, means forwithdrawing the envelopes one at a time from the magazine and deliveringthem to the conveyor Where they are positioned in single file, means forfeeding a thread adjacent juncture of the flap the body of the envelopeas the latter is moved along by conveyor, means for applying "anadhesive to the thread during its feedirr movement, said thread feedingmeans bein utilized for pressing the thread the envelope in order thatits securement to the-latter is effected andnieansfor severing saidthread at a point beyond the end of the envelope to provide a protrudingend. 7 r

25. In a machine for affixing opening threads to envelopes, the coination of a conveyor for moving the envelopes through the machine, a

magazine in which the envelopes are initially placed, means forwithdrawing the envelopes one at a time from the magazine andpositioning them on the conveyor in single file, means for opening meansbeing utilized for pressing the thread the envelope to effect itssecurement thereto and means for severing the said thread beyond the endof the envelope to provide a pro trading end.

261111 amachine for afnxing opening threads to 7 envelopes, thecombination of a conveyor for niov- I ing the envelopes through vchine,n1aga zine in which. the envelopes are initiallyplaced, meansforwithdrawing velopes .one at a time froni the positioning them uponthe conveyor single file,'l1i8tll'5 for openx ing the flap of anenvelope, means for feeding a thread adjacent the juncture of 5116 nap,the body of the envelope as the latter i" moved by the conveyor, meansfor appl,

to a portion of the thread, means r-foldi. flap upon that port. of thethread to which the adhesive has been applied, said thread feeding meansbeing utilized'to squeeze thre'adbe tween the flap and the bodyof theenvelope and along

